CIVIC chiefs have approved multi-million-pound plans to transform a Hampshire attraction to help it cope with a huge increase in visitor numbers.
Eastleigh Borough Council has given itself permission to provide new visitor facilities at the 440-acre Itchen Valley Country Park in Allington Lane, West End.
The £3m scheme includes a new parking area, a tented events square, new play equipment and a visitor building at High Hill Field.
Plans to improve the park were backed by councillors earlier this year and have now been formally approved by the authority.
A council report said visitor numbers had risen by 35 per cent over the past five years.
It added: "As a result the site is showing significant signs of wear and tear, with play equipment, footpaths and car park surfaces all nearing, or at the end of, their lifespan.
"Itchen Valley Country Park is in need of significant investment.
"Under the scheme, a new car parking area will be created at the front of the site. This will reduce the number of vehicles that go through the central part of the park, providing better separation between pedestrians and vehicles.
"A new footpath will take visitors from the proposed car park to Highwood Barn hub.
"The area at Highwood Barn will be upgraded and rearranged to provide a formal meeting/events space and allow for a more flexible use.
"To accommodate this, the play area is being moved slightly/extended and new equipment is proposed.
"At High Hill Field a modular building will provide public toilets and a kiosk offering light refreshments. This is partially important to people using the recreation space, Go Ape and the surrounding woodlands, who currently have to walk 400m to use the facilities at the other end of the site.
"The building will also contain a function room for public hire, which replaces the existing function room at Kingfisher barn.
"Overall, the proposed development is considered appropriate and will not involve structures or activities that would detract from the rural character of the countryside.
"The vast majority of the proposals will not affect the trees.
"In a small number of cases tree removals are required but these are not high-value trees and replacement planting will take place."
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